Being one of the only shot creators on the roster, Terry Rozier will be needed for the Charlotte Hornets in hero moments during the 2019-20 season.
In the past three seasons, the Charlotte Hornets have been a below-average team during clutch moments. They were 20th in win percentage last season, finishing with a record of 18-21 in the clutch. It was an improvement over the previous two seasons, but they still need someone to step up when the game is on the line.
Could that person be new starting point guard Terry Rozier? Zach Harper of The Athletic sure thinks so. In an article (subscription required) talking about who should be taking hero shots, Harper sees Rozier as the Hornets’ best option in that department.
I completely agree with Harper here, as Rozier is the best creator on the roster and will have no problem getting up a shot. He’s been in close-game situations before, and has actually come through on three occasions, including this game-winning slam against Indiana in 2017:
Here's Terry Rozier steal & DUNK that won the game - #Celtics Rewind presented by @NissanUSA pic.twitter.com/pA7hD9tjMA
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 19, 2017
Kemba Walker, arguably the best player in Charlotte Hornets history, has surprisingly been bad in clutch moments throughout his career, shooting 18-83 from the floor. To his credit, Walker did have so many responsibilities in Charlotte and had to bail them out most of the time. Having a superstar point guard take that shot is more comforting, even if he’s struggled in the past.
Another thing Harper included in his article is that Nicolas Batum is the guy that the Hornets should avoid in clutch moments, as he has hit just 6-23 from the field. That’s not very good from the $120 million man, but maybe he can improve in 2019-20.
The Hornets are a young team, and young teams often struggle during late-game scenarios. Rozier has played on the big stage before, so I would expect him to take on the challenge of becoming a closer for this team moving forward.
Miles Bridges, the talented second-year pro from Michigan State, is another guy that could be an intriguing option late in the game. His top-notch athleticism allows him to get to the basket and make things happen. He’s not the best shooter or creator from the perimeter just yet, but you can count on his aggressiveness.
Another guy who could be trusted in close games is Marvin Williams. The veteran power forward is 4-10 on hero shots since 2010 and can always be trusted from the three-point line. He’s not your first option, of course, but he’s certainly not your last option.
In the end, this will be a great learning season for many players on the Charlotte Hornets. They enter the 2019-20 season with very low expectations. They’ll simply have to learn how to win games. It’s not an easy thing, especially for a young group, but as long as they improve throughout the year, then it’s a positive step in the right direction.
Terry Rozier is one of the cornerstones for the Charlotte Hornets at the moment. He’s ready to have a breakout season now that he is a full-time starter. We’ll see how he performs in the teal and purple, and if he can continue to be effective in clutch moments.